Ngora KidZ at Heart Training

 

 

Praise be to Jesus! I recently returned from an upcountry district in Uganda called Ngora where close to 100 children's ministry leaders received a 3-day KidZ at Heart Training. Ngora is in Eastern Uganda, a 6 hour drive from Kampala. It's a beautiful part of the country with rock formations, palm trees, and lots of agriculture. But what makes it truly special are the people. Pastor Grace Rwothumio and Pastor Charles O'Pendi helped me lead the training and it was a really special time. The participants were pastors, Sunday school teachers, and children's ministry workers throughout Ngora district. As we arrived they were all so very excited that we came to give them children's ministry training. Only a handful of the participants have ever even had training. Trainings in the village areas are really precious. Over the past 2 years KidZ at Heart formed a relationship with some children's workers from Gawa Church in Ngora who attended our KidZ training in Kampala. One of the team members of a KidZ at Heart short-term trip (Lynn Vanderveen that runs ARISE Uganda) connected them to our Kampala training and the rest is God at work. Bringing a KidZ at Heart training to this village area is a dream come true to all involved. The impact this training will make on the children on this area is truly tremendous and we are so very thankful. Some of you may remember that 4 months back I traveled to Ngora to start the planning stages of this training. It's just amazing to see what God has brought about!

The 3-day training covered subjects such as How Children LEARN Best, 8 Wonderful Ways Children Learn, Story-telling techniques that bring the Bible to life for children, How to Prepare a Lesson Plan, How to Love Our Children to Good Behavior, and Discipline Dos and Donts. The participants even spent a day practicing all that they learned through different story-telling techniques. This is always our favorite day as we get to see how they implement what they have learned. Something really special was that the workshop handouts were even translated into their local language, Ateso. This was such a huge accomplishment and blessing. It's our hope that this is just the beginning of a very fruitful relationship in Ngora district and even the surrounding districts. We would like to do annual trainings in this area where we can keep building upon what was taught and keep expanding their children's ministry skills. KidZ at Heart has seen tremendous testimonies from other areas of Uganda that recently attended our trainings and we know that Ngora will be no different. The people of Ngora are family to me now and I can't wait to get back for a visit and then also future trainings.

I'd like to personally thank my dear friends Stanley and Beatrice Etiang (photo above), Vincent, Godfrey, Silver (our translator), Lynn and ARISE, our translator of the Ateso handouts, Pastor Grace, Pastor Charles, and so many others that were involved in making this training such a success. It takes a team to do God's work and each person is of such value.

What's next on the horizon for me?

• In just one week I will be in the USA! I will be in Jacksonville, FL December 13-January 25th for the holidays, seeing friends and family, visiting with supporters, and raising more support. I will then be in Phoenix, Arizona January 25th-February 10th for a KidZ at Heart staff retreat. I travel back home to Kampala on February 14th. If you are in any of these areas I'd love to see you when I'm in the States!

• In 2014 I will be back in Kampala and busy with KidZ at Heart trainings in partnership with KEST (Kampala Evangelical School of Theology) and KAHLA (KidZ at Heart Leadership Advocacy program) throughout Uganda along with also mobilizing many short-term KidZ at Heart trips throughout Africa (Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and many others).

• I've joined the choir at University Community Fellowship (my home church in Kampala) and I'm very excited about being highly involved with the worship team in 2014. I will also continue to help with UCF's children's ministry and the women's ministry called King's Daughters. I'm blessed to have found a wonderful home church.

• Supporters, PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DETAILS ON THIS IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS. My giving method will be switching over to KidZ at Heart International. I will be walking you through this easy process and explaining about the switch-over. World Outreach has been wonderful agency to me and I'm thankful for all they have done the past few years.

Once again, thank you to all of my prayer partners and financial supporters. Words can't express how truly thankful I am for each and every one of you.

May God bless you abundantly,

Shannon

To Donate Online: http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select My Name. The system can process USA and International Cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you select the "Monthly" option.

Or Mail Checks to: World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061(Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)

The 2.2 billion children have the right to become children of God if they receive Jesus as their Savior.  How can they receive Christ if they have never heard about Jesus and His salvation plan of each of us?  We must be part of God’s plan to reach the 2.2 billion children with the Gospel, so that they can become children of God. Over the past 10 years, KidZ at Heart has directly trained more than 5,000 children’s leaders in other countries to reach and teach kids for Christ within their own culture. These leaders can also freely share KidZ training with others (an estimated 30,000 more) who are sharing Jesus with children. Thank God for his leading and provision!